This week’s shutdown of the Cabo San Lucas Harbor—five closures within seven days—appears to be exceptionally rare and has been one of the most prolonged and disruptive weather‑related interruptions Los Cabos has experienced in decades. Historical patterns show that the Port Captain (El Capitanía de Puerto) typically issues short‑duration suspensions—most commonly 24 to 72 hours—during tropical disturbances, i.e., strong wind events, or elevated sea states. Even during major storm systems such as Odile (2014), Juliette (2001), and Lester (1992), publicly documented closures rarely exceeded three to four consecutive days. They were generally limited to small‑craft restrictions rather than full harbor shutdowns. SEMAR’s available historical data, combined with long‑term storm‑frequency records for the southern Baja Peninsula, indicate that no accessible multi-decade archive reflects a five‑day closure within a single week.
Pisces Sportfishing Report Thursday, September 25-October 1, 2026
A late‑September pattern held across the area on Thursday, September 25, 2026-October 1, 2026, as conditions settled into a clear rhythm. Skies remained clear, offering uninterrupted visibility from sunrise through late afternoon. Seas were calm, marked by a gentle 4 to 5‑foot wave height that carried no meaningful chop, allowing boats to move smoothly across the surface. A consistent 11-mile-per-hour wind added only light texture to the water without disrupting overall stability.
Beneath the surface, water temperatures hovered between 88 and 89°F, maintaining the warm profile typical of early fall. Above it, air temperatures ranged from 87 to 98°F, producing a hot, dry atmosphere that intensified through midday before easing slightly toward evening. Together, these elements created a classic late‑season weather window—clear, warm, and predictably calm —ideal for uninterrupted time on the water.
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Aboard the 29‑foot Black Fin, “EL CAZADOR,” Captain Carmelo and Mate José ran a clean, coordinated trip. Their spread and boat handling reflected the steady rhythm the team has developed over the years, allowing them to work each strike zone with deliberate, uninterrupted passes. The wheelhouse remained calm and organized throughout the day, with Captain Carmelo and Mate José alternating between helm management and situational calls as conditions shifted across the morning.
On deck, anglers Brian Martinez, Calvin Vaughn Baker, Cynthia Randall, and Erin Booth rounded out the team with disciplined rail work and smooth communication. Each angler contributed to the boat’s efficiency, maintaining steady pressure during hookups and keeping the cockpit clear during transitions. Their coordinated effort gave EL CAZADOR another polished session, marked by attentive seamanship with a cohesive crew presence from setup to final pass.
A steady, disciplined outing unfolded aboard the 31‑foot Bertram, “REBECCA,” under the guidance of Captain Jose Ramon Alucano and Mate Marcelo, who kept the boat working clean lines across the outer banks throughout the session. The efforts of the angling team from California—Derek Wayne Nelson, Gennie Stess Sheriff Jr., Michael Mallie Davis, and Scotty Hall Florey—were rewarded with a single but impressive catch, a Yellowfin Tuna weighing 135 pounds, taken on a curry‑colored setup, while working the Guacamayo side of the Golden Gate Bank. The strike came on a well‑timed pass. The crew handled the fish with coordinated pressure from hookup through gaff, reflecting a practiced rhythm on deck. The anglers stayed focused at the rail, maintaining clear communication and disciplined cockpit management as the tuna made its long, heavy runs. Their combined efforts delivered a clean, efficient landing that highlighted both teamwork and patience. The group added a memorable catch to REBECCA’s season, marking the day with a standout fish taken from one of the region’s most productive late‑season banks.
Aboard the 31-foot Bertram, “TIBURON,” anglers John Hogoboom, Richard Willox and Roberta Ruiz worked the deck alongside Captain Chuy Romero and Mate Raul, who kept the boat on steady lines throughout the morning. Their efforts produced a single Sailfish estimated at 60 or 70 pounds, taken on a curry-colored setup while working the San Jaime area. The strike came tight to the contour, and the team managed the fish with practiced coordination, maintaining smooth pressure through each run until the release brought disciplined focus to the rail. Representing Hudson, Wisconsin, the angling team added a polished release to TIBURON’S record, marking the day with a well-executed catch from one of the region’s most reliable offshore zones.
The 31‑foot Bertram, “Tracy Ann,” spent the morning working the outer edge of the Migriño, where Captain Fernando and Mates Charlie and Jesús worked.
Winkler adjusted their course repeatedly to stay in the cleaner water as they pushed north. Their approach was measured rather than aggressive, favoring long, deliberate passes instead of tight contour work. That patience paid off when a 45‑pound Wahoo detonated on a Rapala, striking high in the column and forcing an immediate shift in the cockpit. The crew responded without hesitation, clearing lines and stabilizing the deck as the fish tore off its first blistering run.
The anglers—Andrew Wade Evans, Frank Rayland Bertucci, John Thrasher Mundinger, and William Allen Floyd Jr.—handled the sequence with a calm, methodical rhythm. No one rushed; each movement was deliberate, allowing the Wahoo’s speed to taper before the angler increased pressure. Once the fish settled, the team worked it steadily toward the transom, completing the gaff shot cleanly and without disruption. The California group closed out the day with a sharp, well‑executed catch that reflected both discipline and restraint.
The 35-foot Cabo Flybridge, “Bill Collector 2,” spent the day working the outer waters twelve miles off the Faro, where Captain Abel and Mates Daniel and Omar kept the boat moving through steady surface conditions and shifting current lines. Their approach emphasized wide, sweeping passes rather than tight contour work, allowing them to cover fresh water with each rotation. That strategy produced a productive session. On deck, anglers Angel Gonzalez, Daniela Jaramillo, Jasmine Martínez, Juan Carlos Gracia, Lorenzo Dávila, and Saray Vásquez formed a balanced team that handled the action with composure. They landed four Yellowfin Tuna ranging from 15 to 65 pounds, using a combination of Kite presentations and curry-colored rigs. Each strike came with its own tempo, forcing the anglers to adjust quickly as the fish alternated between short bursts and deeper, more deliberate runs.
The anglers formed a balanced team that handled the action with composure. Their coordination kept the cockpit clear during multiple hookups, allowing the crew to manage pressure on each fish without interference. Representing Texas, the group brought a steady, organized presence to the rail, closing out the day with a clean series of Yellowfin that reflected both patience and disciplined teamwork across every pass.
The outing aboard the 35‑foot Cabo Flybridge, “Bill Collector 4,” developed slowly at first, with Captain Jean Carlo and Mate Juanillo running the boat toward the offshore zone twenty‑three miles out on the 220 heading. Rather than relying on long drifts or wide passes, they worked a more segmented pattern, pausing frequently to reassess current direction and bait behavior. This methodical approach produced two opportunities, each resulting in a Yellowfin Tuna between 30 and 60 pounds, taken on a mix of Kite work and palo rigs. The strikes were spaced far enough apart to force the crew to reset their rhythm, giving the day a stop‑and‑start character rather than a continuous flow.
With several listed anglers absent—Christy White and Sara White marked as no‑shows—the responsibility on deck fell to John White and Todd White, from Texas, who operated with a quieter, more concentrated tempo. Instead of the fast, energetic cockpit typical of larger groups, the two‑person team relied on deliberate movements and clear, unhurried communication. Their measured handling kept the deck stable through both fights, allowing each fish to be brought in without complication. The reduced crew completed the day with a pair of well‑managed Yellowfin, the result of patience, adaptability, and a willingness to adjust their pace to match the conditions rather than force momentum.
This week’s activity across the fleet reflected both the resilience and adaptability of crews operating under unusually restrictive conditions. Despite the unprecedented five‑day harbor closure, boats that reached the grounds demonstrated disciplined seamanship, steady coordination, and a clear commitment to maintaining safe, effective operations. From standout Yellowfin and Wahoo catches to polished billfish releases, each team contributed to a week marked by professionalism and consistency in the face of shifting weather and limited access. As Los Cabos transitions into October, the combination of stabilizing sea conditions and sustained warm water temperatures suggests a strong finish to the late‑season bite, positioning the fleet for renewed momentum once full operations resume.
Gary Graham, That Baja Guy
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